Though the idea of looking at Narrative Cinema through psychoanalysis seems a bit peculiar, it is actually a very interesting and logical way to try to break down cinematic expressions-- whether that be a big budget movie such as Spider-Man (the first one is personally my favorite) or a low budget documentary like Sicko.
Looking at our media consumption patterns or the way in which we identify with media can be related to our psyches. Since our psyches have been in the works since we were born there are things in them, as well as events which make them up, which are unknown to us. For example seeing advertisements for McDonald's on television commercials during Barney-- the purple dinosaur-- may give reason to why we enjoy McDonald's today.
In the introduction of the article I was reminded of the term penis envy. Mulvey makes a strong case saying that men, in media, are portrayed as the dominant sex, and women are left behind to raise the children. In raising the children, Mulvey says that women do so in the significance of her desire. One can take this to mean that some women raise their children in spite or that some women raise their children to believe that they can do anything-- since they were, themselves, unable to do so--. Either way, there is some form of bias.
Then there is scopophilia (which does not seem to be a real word to dictionary dot com). Scopophilia is one, if not the, main points in the article. Though the initial definition is suffice the one mentioned in the Summary of the article is better: pleasure in looking at another person as an erotic object.
The points brought about by Mulvey of the enjoyment of looking and being looked at are two vital points when speaking of films-- that is because one of the reasons why people enjoy going to the movies so much, and why romantic comedies are one of the most popular genres of film, is because people want to watch something with which they can identify with, a movie in which they can relate to in one or more ways. And as Mulvey mentions, the way in which a movie theater is set up is so that people can see the movie perfectly, but not one another-- the darkness allows people to be alone together.
Also, to expand and question one of the initial statements of psychoanalysis, the act of psychoanalyzing can aid in Hall's four-stage theory of communication (production, circulation, use and reproduction). Our mind's work in certain ways, not to say in a four-stage process, but our minds do employ some sort procedure (the intake of information, the processing of the information, and the remembering of said information).
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6 comments:
I agree in a sense that the eyes in which we see media or anything really, we're looking at it like we would of a man's views. Doesn't matter if we're a women or any other sexuality, we've been conditioned to see things the way we're shown since we're born and now we just see it as the dominant male. Things have changed since Mulvey changed her views but it hasnt changed that much that women are still the suporting actress and not the leading part.
I have taken a women's studies course and they taught us something very similar. Men dominate plenty of things everyday if you actually pick up on certain interactions you will also see for yourself. In most male/female conversations if the male does not want to speak on a certain topic it is not discussed and if he is done with the conversation it is over, there is nothing she can do if he is not responding. They also showed us that alot of the time females feel they must have something good enough to present to a male to assure them what they have to say is important they begin their sentence with "I find it interesting that..". I think it is sad that so many things are male dominated when behind every good man there is a great woman.
I think Mulvey's theory is very similar to Berger's theory. This similarity involves the male gaze. This theory states that in movies (Mulvey) and in oil paintings (Berger) and numerous other media forms women are acting and posing for the male gaze. In addition to this women are viewing themselves and other women in terms of the male gaze, always thinking about what will please and attract a male onlooker.
I believe men are also objectified in films, but since in the real world women tend to be more judged on appearances then men, we in turn see this being made manifest in movies as well.
For example, I know I for one am guilty of finding a man particularly attractive when he is doing something, speaking in class, fixing something...etc. I mean, sure I could judge a man solely on sight and find him particularly attractive, but its not until he does something or makes me laugh or think that I find him most alluring.
I find it funny that in life when I girl really wants to insult another girl, the things that are often most insulting to her is calling her ugly or fat...I feel far less insulted when someone calls me stupid then when someone calls me ugly...interesting thought, and what does it say about how a women judge's herself?? by appearances, just like men do!
So whether films came first and then this mentality (I highly doubt that) or this mentality followed by the films, it is crucial to also look at the ways in whiched men are judged in society and not just in films. As Burger said in "Ways of Seeing" "Men act and women appear" this is a testament to how they are also judged in society. Men by their actions and women by their appearences.
- Dana
I like the fact that you compared Mulvey's points to those of Hall's. However, I wasn't sure about your point about the movie theater. I think that the lights go out just so that everyone can see the screen better. Also, with the obnoxious things that people do in movie theaters, it would be very distracting for the lights to be on and to be able to see everyone. In that case, I dont know if I agree.
However, I you did raise an interesting question. I wonder if we have learned how to consume media from watching television shows as a kid and intermingling that with commercials.
Keep up the good work.
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